@vivekbhavsar
Mumbai: Senior Shiv Sena leader and State’s Urban Development Department Minister (UDD), Eknath Shinde known for his efficiency and is often known to play the role of a trouble-shooter. However, if one goes by the gossip in the corridors of power in Mantralaya, Shinde may likely land himself in a soup.
The reason being his close proximity with a person named ‘Ashar’. It is obvious for a common man to ask this question as to who is this Ashar?
This person is quite familiar in Thane and among the Builders in the construction sector.
Ever since the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) came to power there has been a rise in such external forces meddling in the affairs of the government. Some of the ministries where these power brokers, middlemen play an influential role are Women & Child Development Ministry. Housing and Industries department, UDD being the latest one to be added to this list.
“The Realty developers have a great amount of disappointment towards this ”Ashar” , a builder said on condition of anonymity. He further said, although Eknath Shinde is the most efficient minister, “Ashar” has taken direct control of Mantralaya.
Also Read: Congress’ inefficiency leading to disintegration of democracy: Shiv Sena
The source said, “Ashar” is not only seen in the offices of the ministers and in the MMRDA but he is physically present even in the meetings convened by the ministers. Under which authority he remains present in the meeting? The source also said that Ashar influences the Minister and his suggestions are well accepted.
“If the minister does not understand the guidelines of the Urban Development Department then he can appoint a senior bureaucrat from the department as a Officer on Special Duty (OSD), but it is expected that he should not involve a private person in the decision-making process,” the source said.
When the ministers are sworn-in they take the oath of maintaining secrecy. It is necessary to keep certain things secret from the point of view of administrative works. A person like Ashar directly remains present in the government meeting, takes decisions on his own or influences minister Shinde in his decision. If such a thing is taking place then it is like sounding an alarm bell, the source claimed.
A bureaucrat had even expressed disappointment over the presence of “Ashar” in the meeting and had even tried to complain about it to Shinde, the source added. However, the minister turned a blind eye against the senior bureaucrat, which has eventually dismayed the bureaucrat lobby.
“Ashar has now turned his attention towards the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and has started interfering into the administrative work of the civic body”, the source claimed.
